Halsey performs powerfully at Rock in Rio 2026 despite facial infection revealed days before

Singer, who days before had revealed that she had a heavy infection on her face, was one of the highlights this Sunday (13), at the festival, on a day dominated by women.

By Marília Neves, g1

Two days after sharing with her followers that she had a "heavy infection on her face" and was "filling herself with medicine", Halsey took to Palco Mundo, at Rock in Rio, this Sunday (13), as if nothing had happened.

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On stage, the American singer showed no indication that she had ended up in the hospital in the previous days. Nor did he show signs of vulnerability or fragility due to his numerous physical and mental health issues. The singer, who has already shared with her fans her problems with endometriosis, blood cancer and even an abortion on stage, gave a powerful and aggressive performance in her debut at Rock in Rio, bringing her most rocker version.

When Ashley Nicolette Frangipane (her given name) becomes Halsey, she overcomes -- and overcame in this performance -- any adversity, putting on an energetic, strong, consistent show. She screamed, played with fire on the stage, went up and down stairs that led to her "virtual castle", rolled down the steps, dominated the stage and called on the audience to jump as much as possible.

The complete opposite of the "doll" look chosen for the costume, consisting of a white dress with ruffles and corselet. Only his "bloody" boot gave signs of what was to come throughout his hour on stage.

Halsey was the third star to appear on the World Stage, on this day dominated by women in the line-up.

And, even with that, the repertoire chosen by the singer fits into the program. Although she has a more recent album, released in 2024 - the confessional and reflective “The Great Impersonator” -, Halsey used her previous album, “If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power”, from 2021, as the main basis of the presentation.

The fourth studio album's premise is to be conceptual and talk about the positive and negative aspects of pregnancy and childbirth. Her lyrics are focused on feminist themes and address patriarchy and misogyny. Other than that, it brings Halsey in a much more punk-rock style. Very different than those seen on his radio hits.

Halsey — Photo: Reproduction / Globoplay

For example, the track “Nightmare”, with which Halsey opened the performance, is his. In it, she sings that she once believed lies and trusted men.

“I am not a Woman, I’m a god”, “Dog years” (a song in which she used a huge collar attached with a chain) and “You asked for this” also make up the setlist. And they are also part of the approximately one-hour film, “If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power”, which is part of the album's promotion and was scripted by Halsey herself.

The artist also took a quick tour of her other albums, singing “Castle” and “Colors”, from 2015, and “Experiment on me” (2020). In the track that gives the album its title, Halsey encouraged the formation of punk circles among the public, saying that it is an experience that she has followed around the world.

In her first break to talk to the audience, she said she loved Brazil and was scared to see the zipline working throughout the presentation. “Does this happen all the time?” asked the artist.

Then, he prepared for the song "Honey" asking: "Do you know something I love seeing around the world? Women. I love women. Women being free and sexy."

The song “Closer” (2016), with the electronic duo The Chainsmokers, and responsible for taking Halsey to another level on the music scene, also appeared in the repertoire and was sung in chorus.

“Without Me”, a track she composed during one of her visits to Brazil and which also makes up the album “Manic” (2020), appeared in the setlist. In this one, she asked fans to turn on their cell phone lights. “Unbelievable,” he said upon seeing the result.

Halsey released her first work, in 2014, independently. Since then, he has become one of the biggest names in alternative pop, mixing genres such as rock, R&B, trap and electronic music.

If I read her confessional stories and lyrics, she openly addresses her experience, on stage, she leaves out any sign of the intense challenges she faces.

Halsey ended her “Back to Balands” tour in February and, since then, has performed at some festivals around the world with her “The girl in the tower” tour.

In her fifth visit to Brazil, the artist closed her show with “Lonely is the muse”. This one is from his most recent album. At this moment, Halsey appeared with a bloody nose. But calm down, it was all part of the staging of his unretouched presentation.

— Photo: Arte/g1

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